Monday, March 18, 2013

The Tope Ten Movie Countdown Blogfest


Hosted by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh. Join the fun and post your ten favorite movies.

LEGEND

I remember seeing previews for the movie, and a music video of “Is Your Love Strong Enough,” and experiencing chills. Surely, the movie isn’t as dreamy and gorgeous as the preview and video? To my utter delight, this fantasy epic fulfilled my expectations! No, it’s not a perfect film. And the director’s cut didn’t make it better, as some scenes were missing and the haunting Tangerine Dream soundtrack removed. However, this has remained one of my most favorite movies for almost thirty years. And yes, I cry every time when they find the dead male unicorn.

THE TERMINATOR

This movie not only blew me away back in 1984, it sparked a fascination and admiration for James Cameron’s directorial style. Like all of Cameron’s films, at its heart, The Terminator is a love story. Separated by time and brought together for barely one day, Kyle and Sarah’s love and struggle to survive stirs the soul. I enjoyed the following two sequels (and pretend the fourth never happened) but the first movie remains my favorite to this day.

THE CROW

I recall that fateful day star Brandon Lee (son of Bruce Lee) was accidentally killed on the set. It seemed doubtful it would ever come together, but the crew finished the movie without Brandon, and in the spring of 1994, released an incredibly sorrowful tale. Based on a graphic novel of the same name, which was also inspired by true life tragic events, The Crow gains its power from Brandon and the performance of a lifetime. Perhaps knowing this was his final film - that his death, on top of the death of the original creator’s fiancĂ©, was ingrained into the movie - made it all the more powerful. The Crow is a moving tale of love and revenge.

HEAVY METAL

Yes, the 1981 animated film. It’s my guilty pleasure movie! I saw it eleven times in the theatre, owned a bootleg tape, and now own it on DVD and Laserdisc. I loved the soundtrack. (I have three copies of that!) While the animation was an odd blend of good to sub-par (due in part to eight different studios working on segments of the film) the visuals and music really stuck with me. Ultimately, my love of this movie has to do with the final segment - Taarna. The story of Taarna, a warrior willing to sacrifice herself to vanquish evil, really struck a chord in my heart. I also own the making of the movie book, the t-shirt, two official movie posters, and my D&D character was called Taarna.

LORD OF THE RINGS

Since it is ultimately one long movie, I’m listing the trilogy as one pick. These films were so majestic, so well-done, so true to the spirit of the books, it’s incredible. (And even better, they skipped all those boring pages of description!) No need to describe them, as everyone has seen LOTR, but it’s the ultimate fantasy story. Fellowship is probably my favorite of the three, and my favorite character is Pippin. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hang out with Pippin and cause trouble all day?

THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROVE

This is my favorite Disney animated film! One of the last cell animated movies ever made by the studio, this film takes full advantage of its humorous cast. Almost every line is a laugh riot! I quote it all the time - “Uh-huh! Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh!,” “You threw off my groove!,” and “I win!” Love the character of Kronk! Sting’s song at the end is great, too.

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL

I’ve been a Muppet fan since Kermit first sang “It’s not easy being green.” Loved the TV show, loved all the movies… This one hits a special note! Made in honor of the late Jim Henson by his son, Brian, the Muppets tell the tale better than any. We watch it every Christmas Eve, reveling in the music, laughing at the humor, and yes, crying at least twice during the course of the movie. The perfect Muppet film!

OVER THE HEDGE

I never read the comic strip, but I adored the movie. RJ’s tricks to entice the other animals to forage in the human’s domain result in some priceless adventures. Hammy the squirrel is easily my favorite - probably because I’m just about as hyperactive. (Although I’ve tried energy drinks and they do not make me so fast the world stops - darn!) Great cast, too.

MADGASCAR III

I loved the first one, thought it dipped for the second, but the third one was the best! A circus was the perfect setting for the cast of characters, and introduced several new ones. The sea lion was adorable and had such a genuine heart. The big performance just popped off the screen in 3D. I wish there really was a circus act like that! Keep making them, I’ll keep watching them.

BORN FREE

This movie came out the year I was born and as a child, I watched it every time it came on TV. I also owned the movie on record, so I listened to it repeatedly. (This movie was a big influence on my love for animals, especially cats.) This is the true story of Elsa, a lion raised by George and Joy Adamson, and then trained to return to the wild. The movie will tug at your heartstrings, and while it has a happy ending, I watch it knowing what happens to Elsa just a few months later. Needless to say, I spend half the movie crying. My husband says I’m not allowed to watch it anymore…

66 comments:

Unknown said...

I love your choices... you had me at Legend, then Heavy Metal... the Crow.

Jeremy [Retro-Z]
Howlin' Wolf

George Beremov [Nebular] said...

I thought Madagascar 3 was average at best (sorry), but other than that great picks!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

My kids LOVE "Over the Hedge!" I haven't seen all of it, but the bits I've seen were hilarious. :)

Your list has a lot of range! From "Terminator" to animated films.

Elise Fallson said...

The Crow! I remember that movie, been ages though. Makes me want to watch it all over again. (:

Unknown said...

Vreat choices! i've enjoyed every one of them

ELAdams said...

Great list - LOTR was no. one on mine. :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I loved Born Free also. I haven't watched it in a long time.

Jennifer Shirk said...

Fun! I've wanted to see The Crow. I remember when all that happened. So sad.

Anonymous said...

Love Emporers New Groove. And Over The Hedge. And the entire Madagascar series.

Bish Denham said...

There are several here I haven't seen. I'll have to check them out. LOTR, however, is not one of them.:)

Shell Flower said...

I totally considered Legend. Such a good movie! I like how you have a lot of family movies on here. I almost chose Chitty Bang Bang. And I haven't thought about Born Free for ages.

Unknown said...

I love how everyone has such different choices for movies. I haven't watched Legend but now I want to.

Jo said...

I couldn't watch Born Free because I knew what happened to Elsa and then to her cubs as well. Love some of your choices, others I have never heard of. One of my favourite songs is Move It from Madascar (One I think)

JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

Rhonda Albom said...

Born Free is such a great movie. It really belongs on a top 10. Love most of your picks.
Rhonda
Laugh-Quotes.com

LD Masterson said...

Nice picks.

I didn't think of including animated films on my list. It would take a whole other list. From Bambi and Lady and the Tramp to Finding Nemo and Up.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Jeremy, I'm sure Heavy Metal will surprise a few today.

Elizabeth, I just like a variety.

Stephen, nothing beats a good kids' film.

Clarissa, Legend is a beautiful looking film.

Jo, at least the cubs lived.

David P. King said...

You have some of my favorites on here. Awesome sauce! And I'm surprised how many animation picks are making it on people's lists. That makes this animation guru happy. :)

Anonymous said...

Born Free! I love that movie!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

LOTR - excellent! T2 almost made my list.
Thanks for participating in my blogfest!

Jo said...

Don't know that for sure, the cubs disappeared.

Arlee Bird said...

I'm a big fan of the entire Terminator series. The Crow was also an excellent film.


Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog

VR Barkowski said...

Some wonderful choices here, Diane. Loved Born Free, but I'm not good with animal films. I get too emotional. Srsly, I burst into tears during Frankenweenie.

~VR Barkowski

Southpaw said...

I love the diversity of your list.

Mark Means said...

Nice choices and Legend, for me, has always been one of those great, unsung, fantasy films that never gets enough respect.

jaybird said...

Legend!! My kids and I watch this movie all the time. Such a great movie- even though I am not much of a Tom Cruise fan, lol

You're right about the crying, cause I full on ugly booger cry watching Born Free, every time. But I absolutely love it!

Johanna Garth said...

I've never seen Born Free because I think it would reduce me into a sobbing puddle!

Hart Johnson said...

I almost included Terminator, too... I love the first two of those. (the 4th isn't bad, 3 is stupid). And I am seeing LotR everywhere.

Al Diaz said...

Bravo with your choices, Diane. I absolutely love them all. Just last week I watched Legend again. :)

nutschell said...

Totally forgot about the Emperor's New Groove! But I loved that movie :)
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Karen, yes we can!

David, most of the ones that didn't quite make my list were animated films. I love them.

Jo, in Living Free, they track them down, capture them, and relocate them.

VR, that's why I'm not allowed to watch it.

Jaybird, I don't feel so bad now.

Johanna, it would.

J.L. Campbell said...

Hi, Diane,
I don't think I've watched an animated movie from beginning to end, but I enjoy the portions I've watched.

Carol Kilgore said...

I missed a couple of these, but I love the Muppets!

D.G. Hudson said...

LOTR and Terminator are two on your list that I really like. I liked the beginning, I like robot tales and Middle Earth.

Kyra Lennon said...

Over The Hedge is the one animated movie my mum didn't like. I, however, thought it was fantastic! Great choices!

Jeff Hargett said...

It has been too long since I've watched some of those. Time to hook up the VCR and dig through the old VHS cabinets...yes that's plural. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, Diane. I enjoyed checking out your top ten movie list. Born Free would definitely be on my top ten list. I cry every time I watch it.

Nicole said...

Born Free is such a sweet little tear jerker that I'm glad to have watched when it was mentioned during one of my older memes about animals. I love The Crow with Brandon Lee and OMG -- The Terminator films are the kind of action pieces that go down in history! The second one...(I think it's called) Terminator: Judgement Day is my favorite and I featured it in one of my papers on special effects, when I studied film in school.

Nice list you have here, Diane!

~Nicole

Tony Laplume said...

The Emperor's New Groove! Over the Hedge! You officially have good taste.

Nancy Thompson said...

I have Terminator on my list, too! And I love The Crow. It just makes me too sad to watch. I named my son after Brandon Lee. Those are his first and middle names!

DiscConnected said...

We had a couple of films in common, and another of yours (LOTR) almost made my list.

I need to watch Born Free-I loved that as a kid and have not seen it since I was a kid.

I'd probably sniffle a little, as rugged and macho as I may be...

Larry

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Jeff, we are almost through converting our to DVD!

Nicole, that's really neat.

Nancy, really? Bet that gets the conversation going for your son.

Anonymous said...

The Emporer's New Groove. That was a good one. Great list. I like the strong animated presence.

Ella said...

I love your list! Gosh, I want to see Over the Hedge, again, lol ;D

I loved Born Free...I can hear the music playing now~ Wow, memories...me too cried and cried!

Ciara said...

I love most of your picks, but I HATED The Crow. It disturbed me. I have no desire to ever watch it again.

Laura Eno said...

I don't know anything about Legend! It sounds intriguing - although I'm not looking forward to a dead unicorn. :(

klahanie said...

Such a varied choice. I remember seeing "Born Free" when I was a young lad. It made me cry.

Be well, Diane.

Gary

DL Hammons said...

Both Terminator and Terminator 2 could have made my list...but then I would have had too many James Cameron movies! :)

M.J. Fifield said...

This is the second list I've seen The Emperor's New Groove on, and I love that. I'd honestly forgotten all about that movie.

Trisha said...

Legend is another that takes me back to high school days. Hard to believe that was Tom Cruise ;) Great choices!

James Garcia Jr said...

Yes! Love the Muppet Christmas Carol shout out! *high fives*
They really caught lightning in the bottle with that film. It was the perfect combination of muppets, acting and the classic story. Love that!
I do have Legend on my dvd shelf. Tim Curry was great in that.
Can you believe that a heavy metal guy such as myself has yet to see "Heavy Metal?" I'm sure I know every song by heart! What's the penance for that exactly? ;)
Great list.

-Jimmy

Tyrean Martinson said...

Love your choices! I don't think I ever watched all of Heavy Metal - but now I want to try it again. (I think I was in high school and my parents didn't approve)

And Emperor's New Groove . . . so good :).

There are so many wonderful movies, and it's fun seeing everyone's choices.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

Interesting. I was just going to tweet on my #MovieReviews hashtag that Arclight is running a series of great old movies on their huge screens. We see so many movies and I think right now there is a dearth of anything very good. So it's Out of Africa and Aliens for us this week. 7 pm. One showing. Ice cream afterward. (-:

Best,
Carolyn

Denise Covey said...

I'm glad you reminded me of Born Free. What a great movie. I like many of your choices.

~Sia McKye~ said...

I saw Emperor's Groove in theatres and it made me laugh and yes, I loved Kronk! I also loved Terminator. Born Free made me cry.

dolorah said...

Interesting line up. Born Free is one of the first feel-good movies I ever saw.

.......dhole

Nick Wilford said...

Good mix here. Love The Terminator, and The Crow and Legend are now on my list.

Talli Roland said...

Such a fun blogfest. Great choices!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Ella, the music won an Oscar.

Laura, you have been warned.

DL, and that's a problem?

James, Muppet fan! And it was made right after Jim Henson died. You now need to watch Heavy Metal. Prepare for cheese.

Tyrean, my mom didn't approve, but some of it was rather immoral.

Carolyn, that would be fun to see on the big screen.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I keep looking at lists and thinking "I forgot about that one." On yours, it's the Muppet Movie. Love them.

It was fun seeing your countdown.
Be well,
xoRobyn

Anonymous said...

I love The Crow.

I have The Terminator on DVR. I look forward to finally seeing it.

Tammy Theriault said...

i've watched all the madagascar's and i agree. the 3rd was the best!! afro circus afro circus polka dot polka dot afro circus!!

Nicki Elson said...

Oh yay! I'm happy to see the Muppets got a nod in this fest. :) Your list is laid out very nicely, sort of like a wine tasting moving in the opposite direction---taking us from darkish and bold to sweet & sentimental.

Mary Hill said...

Hi, loved your choices of movies. Follow me at http://mary-anderingcreatively.blogspot.com/

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Robyn, Muppet fan!

Tammy, I love that song.

Anonymous said...

I more or less forgot about "Emperor's New Groove" which is a shame because that was a truly excellent movie, along the same humour lines as "Shrek". I think I watched both movies over and over again even though I had been in high school. :3

randi lee said...

Love your movie choices! Especially Emperor's New Groove!!